How are you drying your car? If you’re an Auto Geek I bet the answer is “Very carefully”.
While driving through my subdivision last Saturday morning, I noticed one of my neighbors was in his driveway, washing and drying his new Mercedes. Like a proud papa, he was detailing with gusto and then I noticed he was drying the car with what appeared to be old beach towels and cut up t-shirts. What’s wrong with this picture?
While most people mean well, improper washing and drying techniques and tools are to blame for swirl marks, scratches and micro-marring in their vehicle’s paint finish. This week I would like to share some of my techniques and favorite tools for drying your vehicle after you wash it.
- Metro Air Force Blaster
- The Supreme Guzzler Waffle Weave By Cobra 20 x 40
- Wolfgang Deep Gloss Spritz Sealant
- Cobra Super-Plush Deluxe Microfiber Towel
A Better Way To Dry Your Car – The Process
Proper drying begins with proper rinsing. I use the Fire Hose Nozzle to flood the surface of the vehicle and sheet the water off. Using a nozzle with a spray pattern tends to leave water on the surface but the Fire Hoze Nozzle is fully adjustable, allowing you to blast grime off of your vehicle with adequate presure and then with a turn of the nozzle flood the surface with a more natural flow of water to sheet the water off. Start at the top and use a sweeping left and right motion as you work your way down to the bottom of the vehicle. Rinsing in this manner will leave less water on the car and that means less work for you.
A California Water Blade or California Jelly Blade makes short work of any remaining water on the windows.
Next, I like to blast water out of all of the cracks and crevices with a Metro Air Force Blaster. This tools blasts warm, filtered air into areas that would otherwise be a haven for standing water. Use the Air Force Blaster to dry door jambs, trunk jambs, emblems, bumpers and anyplace around the vehicle where water can hide.
Once the water has been blasted out of all of the nooks and crannies, I take a Supreme Guzzler Waffle Weave By Cobra and blot the vehicle dry. The Supreme Guzzler is an amazingly soft microfiber drying towel with a silky satin edge all the way around.
Now that the vehicle has been properly dried, you have a few choices as to which step to take next depending on the condition of the paint finish. You can use detailing clay if needed, polish the paint or apply a coat of wax or sealant.
While doing a weekly wash to a well-maintained vehicle that already has a good coat of wax, you can use a detail spray or a spray sealant after washing to extend the life of the protective coating. After every wash I add protection and restore the shine with Wolfgang Deep Gloss Spritz Sealant. It’s very easy to spray-on a quick coat of protection in just a few minutes. Deep Gloss Spritz Sealant is very easy to use. Just spray-on and wipe-off with a Cobra Super-Plush Deluxe Microfiber Towel.
So put away those old beach towels and t-shirts. Use the proper drying tools and techniques and you will reduce the chance of owner-induced swirls marks, marring and scratches.
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